San Joaquin Regional Transit District has hired Eric Williams as its new chief operating officer, filling one of the agency’s top executive roles after months of leadership turnover at the countywide transit provider.
Williams was hired May 13, RTD announced in a news release. He previously worked for the agency for three years as manager of grant programs.
Most recently, Williams served as grant and capital compliance adviser for Wayne County, Michigan’s American Rescue Plan Act program, where he oversaw about $339.8 million in federal funding, according to RTD. The money supported operational, construction, demolition, workforce development and other community projects.
His hiring comes as RTD continues to navigate a period of instability in its executive leadership.
In February, the RTD Board of Directors voted 4-1 to fire former CEO Alex Clifford without cause. Around the same time, former Chief Operating Officer Ciro Aguirre resigned, leaving the district without a permanent CEO, chief operating officer or chief financial officer at the time.
The district later hired Kimberly Turner as interim CEO, but the turnover continued. Two longtime board members, Gary Giovanetti and Les Fong, resigned. Giovanetti told Stocktonia that a newly seated board majority had left him unable to influence decisions.
Turner resigned by early April, and RTD’s board appointed Bearnard O. Veasley as interim CEO on April 17.
As chief operating officer, Williams will help oversee RTD’s transit operations, including transportation, maintenance, facilities, planning and service development, on-demand microtransit and paratransit services, according to the district’s job posting for the role.
The COO position was listed with an annual salary range of $165,000 to $210,000.
RTD said Williams brings experience in grants management, sponsored research administration, procurement, contracts and compliance. His previous roles include director of grants and contracts, manager of sponsored programs research and procurement and contract manager.
Williams is a graduate of Morehouse College, where he earned a degree in accounting.
RTD also highlighted Williams’ volunteer and advocacy work, including his support for organ donation, Donate Life and Habitat for Humanity. The district said he became a living organ donor for his late brother, Bryan, and serves as a board member for Critical Learning Systems, which supports educational and community development work in rural Rwanda.